ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith left the Twin Cities on Monday night to return to Chicago to be by the bedside of his wife Kelly-Rae, who gave birth to a baby boy Tuesday morning.
Keith returned in time to join the Blackhawks lineup for Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night in a Western Conference Quarterfinal series (NBCSN, CBC, RDS2).
"It's a good day for the Keiths and we're happy for them," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said at the morning skate. "Sounds like everything went well. I'm happy he was there in time."
Quenneville said there was no question that Keith needed to be by his wife's side as they welcomed their first child into the world, but did admit he is pleased to have his top defenseman available for a critical Game 4. The Blackhawks lead the best-of-7 series, 2-1.
"I'm encouraged he'll be here to play, so it's good news all the way around," he said.
The Blackhawks tweaked their fourth line, inserting Daniel Carcillo at left wing in place of Brandon Bollig.
Corey Crawford started in goal and is backed up by Henrik Karlsson.
Here is how the Blackhawks were likely to look Tuesday against the Wild in Game 4 (click here for the possible Wild lineup):
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa
Patrick Sharp - Andrew Shaw - Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell - Marcus Kruger - Viktor Stalberg
Daniel Carcillo - Michal Handzus - Michael Frolik
Duncan Keith - Niklas Hjalmarsson
Johnny Oduya - Michal Rozsival
Scratched: Steve Montador, Jeremy Morin, Sheldon Brookbank, Jamal Mayers, Ben Smith, Dylan Olsen, Brandon Pirri, Jimmy Hayes, Shawn Lalonde, Klas Dahlbeck, Adam Clendening, Ryan Stanton, Carter Hutton
Injured: Dave Bolland (groin), Ray Emery (lower body)